Gary gave the
report of the finance committee referencing a handout of slides.

The proposed
timeline for the budget had the finance committee reminding committee chairs in
November to propose a budget or any proposed changes to their previous budget
line. The final budget would then be proposed to the VM for approval in
January.

The slides
included a breakdown of annual income and expenditures detailing each with a
pie chart. One more slide showed fluctuations in annual income over time.

Members of the
Va’ad Menahel asked, and Gary agreed, that time be set aside, possibly in
December, for discussing the proposed budget at a sufficiently early stage in
order to provide time for a discussion of setting priorities for the community
and analyzing existing programs and expenses. The 2014 budget will then be
presented for approval of the Va’ad Menahel in January.

Review of
Chagim

Members were
asked to submit feedback to Linda via email. She was not present to give
details but summarized to Bruce that most feedback was very positive. There
were some specific suggestions for improvement.

There was an
opinion expressed by observers and members of the VM that there was not enough
programming for children above the age of gan. Adina will bring concerns to
the Youth Committee.

Discussion of
the chagim led to a discussion of the new “Kehillat Yedidya Manual” and of how
helpful it had been in planning for the chagim.

Members of the
VM discussed how and where the manual will be stored and kept up-to-date.
Adina will present various options at the next VM meeting. Pnina Arbit was
unanimously voted in as the ongoing editor of the manual.

Discussion
of Decision on Kabbalat Shabbat

The discussion
of kabbalat shabbat centred around the decision-making process and not the
substance of the debate.

There was
general agreement among all present of the importance of maintaining a
respectful discussion and debate. There were multiple opinions offered on
whether comments about leaving the community were disrespectful or a legitimate
expression of opinions.

The VM was
reminded that there is no pressure to resolve this issue in a specific time
frame.

Background:
The current plan as proposed by the Minhag and Halacha Committee is to have a
panel discussion with invited rabbinic and lay leadership from outside the community,
followed by a survey/questionnaire, to be written by an appointed committee and
to be sent to the community membership. The results of this survey would be
analyzed by the Minhag Committee which would then bring a proposal to the VM on
how to proceed.

Two options
for making the final decision were considered: a binding referendum of the
membership or a vote by the VM.

Members of the
VM and the observers present discussed who should be polled both in a
non-binding survey of the membership and in a possible referendum voting on the
final proposal. Some members felt that they wanted to hear the opinions of
non-members who regularly attend kabbalat shabbat while others felt strongly
that only members should have a say in the decision.

The question of
who is a member, especially with regard to adult children of members who belong
to the community as part of a family membership was discussed. Josh S. will
clarify who is a voting member according to the rules of the amuta.

Several VM
members emphasized the need for transparency in the decision-making process and
a need for clear communication with the membership.

Several VM
members expressed the opinion that the final decision should be made by the
VM. Others felt that the results of the survey might clarify how the
membership wishes to proceed and so prefer to wait for these results before
deciding on the next stage in the process. No members of the VM expressed the
opinion that a final decision should be made by a vote of the membership.